Analgesic apparatus

ABSTRACT

A hose-linkage device is specifically intended for use in connecting and delivering analgesic gas from a suitable gas supply source to a nasal inhalator which is used in dental work or surgery. The device includes a pair of flexible extension hoses leading away from the gas inlet means on the inhalator and a flexible gas supply hose connected to each of the extension hoses by means of an elbow joint in such a manner that when the patient is in a prone position, the extension hoses will extend away from the inhalator in opposite directions to a point alongside the patient&#39;&#39;s head and the gas supply hoses will extend substantially horizontally along the sides and over the top of the patient&#39;&#39;s head where they are joined together by a hose clip and thereafter will continue for connection into the gas supply source. An adjustable connecting strap has opposite ends connected to the elbow joints and passes behind the patient&#39;&#39;s head in order to retain the inhalator in proper position over the patient&#39;&#39;s nose.

United States Patent [1 1 Rollins Mar. 26, 1974 ANALGESIC APPARATUS 75Inventor: Richard R. Rollins, Broomfield, f' Emm'fler-Rlchard id ColaAsszstant Examiner-G. F. Dunne [73] Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemoursand Company, Wilmington, Del. [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Aug 12, 1971 Ahose-linkage device is specifically intended for use in connecting anddelivering analgesic gas from a suit- [21] Appl. No.: 171,287 able gassupply source to a nasal inhalator which is used in dental work orsurgery. The device includes a 52 US. Cl. 128/206, 128/146.7 flexibleextensi? hses leading f 51 1m. (:1 A6lm 15/00 gas means the mhaamr and igas [58] Field Of Search 128/206, 208, 201, 195, P mnected F", theextensm by 128,198 188 1423 146 7 means of an elbow oint m such a mannerthat when the patient is in a prone position, the extension hoses [56]References Cited will extend away from the inhalator in oppositedirections to a point alongside the patients head and the UNITED STATESPATENTS gas supply hoses will extend substantially horizontallyHUdS.O|'l along the ides and over the top of the patients head 3x32? gfg I where they are joined together by a hose clip and 2245658 6/1941igg: 128/198 thereafter will continue for connection into the gas2:376:87] 5/1945 Fink i Trim/146.7 supply Source' adlustable connectmgstrap has 2'208633 7/1940 Heidbrink 128/203 posite ends connected to theelbow joints and passes 3.670726 6/1972 Mahon n 128/188 behind thepatients head in order to retain the inhala- 3,556,097 1/1971 Wallace128/188 tor in P p position Over the patients nosel,l62,4l6 ll/l9l5Teter 128/206 3,648,703 3/1972 Manker 128/206 9 Clam, 3 D'awmg FlguresSOURCE M! ii 7 hull" w L IMI.

PAIENIED lanes m4 METER L'W [I0 INVENTOR RICHA ATT R N EYS ANALGESICAPPARATUS ister analgesic gases, such as, nitrous oxide to a patientthrough a nasal inhalator in order to reduce .the pa-v I tientssensibility to pain without making him unconscious and while leaving themouth free and unobstructed for dental or surgical work. Conventionally,the nasal inhalator is cupped over the patients nose and can be firmlyseated on the patients face in the region surrounding the nose.Typically when the patient is in a prone position, gas is supplied tothe inhalator through hoses which lead directly over the chair and faceof the patient into the inhalator or may hang downwardly along the sidesof the patient and chair then lead into the gas supply source. As aresult, the gas supply hoses tend to interfere with the dentist in hiswork, making it difficult to keep the inhalator properly positioned andstabilized over the nose and also limit movement of the patients head.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide for anovel and improved gas delivery device for use in supplying analgesicgases or anesthetic to a nasal inhalator or face mask in dental orsurgical operations.

- It is another object of the present invention to provide for a noveland improved gas delivery device for use in supplying analgesic gases oranesthetic to a nasal inhalator or face mask in dental or surgicaloperations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for novel andimproved gas delivery apparatus for use in analgesic systems wherein thegases are supplied through lines passing over the top and along thesides of the patients head so as not to limit head movement and not topresent an obstruction to the dentist or surgeon in his work.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for gasdelivery apparatus for use in an analgesic system in which triangulatedgas supply hoses extend between a metered gas supply and the sides of aninhalator in such a way that the gas supply lines are directeddownwardly along the sides of the face and rearwardly over the top orcrown of the patients head when the patient is in a prone position.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide for a noveland improved hose-linkage device specifically adapted for use inadministering gas from a gas supply source to a nasal inhalator whichincludes a triangulated gas supply hose assembly between a metered gassupply and the inhalator, the hose assembly being adjustably andreleasably secured to the patients head without discomfort andpermitting greater freedom of movement of the head without obstructingor interfering with the dental or surgical procedures.

The present invention is best exemplified by describing its use inconnection with dental work wherein it is becoming more customary toadminister analgesic gas through a nasal inhalator. It is standardpractice to place the patient in a prone position in the dental chairand with the end of the chair supporting the patients head in proximityto a metered source of gas supply. In accordance with the presentinvention, a pair ofgas delivery lines extend between the metered sourceof gas supply and the nasal inhalator and include lateral extensionswhich extend for relatively short distances in opposite directions awayfrom opposite sides of the nasal inhalator to terminate at a point onopposite sides of the patients head near the ears where theyv are joinedby elbow-shaped fittings to rearwardly directed extension hoses leadingrearwardly from the sides over the top or crown of the patients headinto the metered gas supply source. A hose clip is movable along thelength of the rearward extension hoses to secure the hoses together at alocation near the crown of the patients head and, together with aconnecting strap which is passed from the elbow portion of the hosesbehind the neck, defines a fixed triangulation arrangement between thehose sections so as to firmly stabilize the inhalator over the nose andpermit greater freedom of movement of the patients head. In addition,since the extension hoses lead away from the lower ends of the extensionhoses directly over the end of the chair to the metered gas supplysource they do not present an obstruction or interfere with the dentistin his work. Moreover, in a manner to be hereinafter appreciated in moredetail the assembly is readily conformable for use in differentapplications, and further can be readily adjusted and securely attachedto the patients head.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of the presentinvention will become more readily appreciated and understood from thefollowing more particular description of the invention when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the hose-linkage device of the presentinvention in operable use on a patient in an analgesic system.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the hoselinkage device of FIG. 1attached to a conventional nose piece and also showing an anchoringstrap for holding the nose piece against a patients face.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the elbow joint used in thehose-linkage device of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, ananalgesic system is shown having a metered source 10 of analgesic gas,such as nitrous oxide, connected to a conventional inhalator or nosepiece 12 by a preferred form of gas delivery apparatus 14 of the presentinvention.

The inhalator 12, best seen in FIG. 2, is a flexible rubber cup adaptedto fit'down over the nose of a patient P and seat on the patients face,as shown in FIG. 1. The nose piece has an adjustable valve 15 toregulate the amount of air mixed with the analgesic gas administered tothe patient, and suitable gas inlet means including two protrudinghollow arms 16 and 18 extending from opposite sides of the inhalatorwhich have rigid tubular hose connectors 20 and 22, respectively,hermetically sealed in their ends.

The gas delivery apparatus 14 takes the form of a hose-linkage devicewhich includes a pair of gas supply conduits leading into opposite sidesof the inhalator and consist of identical flexible rubber lateralextension hoses 24 and 26, a pair of identical hollow elbow joints centthe top of a patients head.

The lateral extension hoses 24 and 26 of the hoselinkage device compriseshort pieces of flexible rubber hose (approximately two inches inlength) which fit tightly at one end in an hermetic seal on theprotruding ends of the hose connectors 20 and 22 respectively.

Elbow joint 28, which as stated before is identical to elbow joint 30,can be seen in FIG. 3 to have'identical annular recessed ends 38 and 40.The recessed end 38 of each of the elbow joints 28 and 30 is adapted tobe inserted into the free end of the extension hoses 24 and 26respectively to provide hermetically sealed connections therewith. Inpractice the end 38 of each of the elbow joints would be inserted intothe respective extension hoses so that the recessed end 40 of each ofthe elbow joints would be pointed toward the top of the patients head.

The recessed end 40 of each of the elbow joints 28 and 30 is adapted tobe inserted into one end of the gas supply hoses 32 and 34 respectivelyto provide hermetically sealed connections therewith. The other end ofeach of the gas supply hoses 32 and 34 is attached to a Y-fitting 42which is connected in fluid communication to the metered gas source 10.Accordingly, two hermetically sealed fluid passages are provided throughthe hose-linkage device 14, whereby analgesic gas can be passed from themetered gas source to the inhalator 12.

The hose clip 36 of the hose-linkage device is comprised of a flat barhaving two adjacent apertures therethrough and, as stated before, servesto hold the two gas supply hoses 32 and 34 together at a locationadjacent the patients head. The diameter of each of the apertures in theflat bar is substantially equivalent to the outside diameter of each ofthe gas supply hoses so that the clip 36 can be manually slid along thelength of the hoses and will retain its longitudinal position on thehoses when released.

It will be apparent that the clip 36 when positioned adjacent the top ofa patients head and the elbow joints 28 and 30 define corners of atriangle whose respective sides are comprised of a portion of the supplyhose 32, a portion of the supply hose 34, and the inhalator 12 alongwith the tubular connectors and 22 and the extension hoses 24 and 26.This triangular arrangement provides a three-point stabilizing systemfor the inhalator 12 to prevent it from being easily dislocated sincethe elbow joints 28 and rest on the cheeks of the patient on either sideof the nose, and the hose clip 36 rests near the top of the patientshead at a location approximately equispaced from the two elbow joints.

To further stabilize the nose piece 12 on the patients head and also tohelp provide an effective seal between the nose piece and the face ofthe patient to prevent peripheral leakage of the analgesic gas,connecting strap means 44, which can be passed behind the patients head,are attached to the hose-linkage device 14. The anchoring strap meansconsists of a flat band having one end 50 looped over and attached toelbow joint 28, for example, by a rivet 51 attaching the free end to theband as shown. The opposite end 52 is adjustably attached to aconnecting ring 53 surrounding a portion of the elbow 28. In order toeffect an adjustable but secure, releasable attachment of the end 52 tothe ring 53, both are surfaced with velcro tape fastening means 46 sothat they can be quickly and easily secured together with the free endpassing around the inside of the ring between the hose assembly and theside of the patients head. Also, an elastic section 56 is provided in anintermediate portion of the band to assure a firm but yieldableattachment of the strap behind the patients neck. Alternately, insteadof attaching the free end 52 to the inside of the ring 53 as shown, itmay be secured to the outside of the ring and a separate tape fasteningstrip attached to the inside in order to cover that portion of the ring53 not secured to the free end 52 and prevent the ring from rubbingdirectly against the side of the patients face.

It can thus be appreciated that a device for stabilizing an inhalator ona patent has been provided which includes means for fluidicallyconnecting the inhalator to a gas supply and means for positioning theinhalator against the patients face to alleviate peripheral leakagearound the inhalator. The device is also effective in directing the gassupply hoses over the top of the patients head where they will notinterfere with a dentists legs when he is working on the patient andwill not inhibit head movement of the patient.

Although the best mode contemplated for carrying out the presentinvention has been herein shown and described, it will be apparent thatmodification and variation may be made without departing from what isregarded to be the subject matter of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Gas delivery apparatus for an analgesic system and the like having agas supply source and a nasal inhalator adapted to fit over the nose andbe confined to a limited area of a patients face in closely surroundingrelationship with the nose of the patient leaving the patients mouthuncovered and provided with gas inlet means thereon on opposite sides ofsaid inhalator, said apparatus comprising in combination, a pair of gassupply conduits on opposite sides of said inhalator and each gas supplyconduit having a lateral extension, each said lateral extensionextending in opposite directions to one another laterally away fromconnection to said gas inlet means and adapted to extend across eachcheek of the patient and downwardly toward each ear of the patient whenthe patient is in a prone position and each lateral extensionterminating in a lower end adapted to rest adjacent to each ear of thepatient, and an elongated flexible extension in each gas supply conduitextending normal to and in the same direction away from connection withthe lower end of each of said respective lateral extensions and adaptedto be directed in a substantially horizontal direction away from thelower end of each lateral extension along the side of the patients headwhen the patient is in a prone position for connection into said gassupply source, and connecting strap means connected to said gas supplyconduits adjacent to the lower ends of said lateral extensions onopposite sides of the patients head and adapted to pass behind thepatients neck.

2. Gas delivery apparatus according to claim 1, further includingsecuring means for securing said elongated flexible extensions togetherahead of their connection into said gas supply source.

3. Gas delivery apparatus according to claim 1, further includingelbow-shaped fittings interconnecting the lower end of each lateralextension with a respective elongated flexible extension in each gasconduit member for extension of said elongated flexible extensionsperpendicular to the lateral extensions.

4. Gas delivery apparatus according to claim 3, said connecting strapconnected at opposite ends to said elbow-shaped fittings in each of saidgas supply conduits.

5. In an analgesia system, gas delivery means for supplying gaseousfluids from a gas supply source to a nasal inhalator adapted to fit overthe nose and be confined to a limited area of a patients face in closelysurrounding relationship with the nose of the patient leaving thepatients mouth uncovered wherein said inhalator is provided withoppositely directed, open tubular connecting means thereon, saidapparatus comprising in combination:

first and second gas supply hoses each connected at one end to one ofsaid open tubular connecting means and each adapted to extend laterallyaway from said inhalator and downwardly for termination at a point alongthe side of the patients head when the patient is in a prone position,

first'and second extension hoses extending from the terminal ends ofsaid lateral extension hoses for connection to the gas supply source,

first and second elbow joints interconnecting the terminal ends of saidfirst and second lateral extension hoses, respectively, with each ofsaid respective first and second extension hoses so that the rear- -wardextension hoses extend in a. common direction substantially normal tothe lateral extension of said lateral extension hoses,

a hose clip adapted to releasably and adjustably hold together'the firstand second rearward extension hoses at a point over the patients head,and

a connecting strap connected at opposite ends to said elbow-shapedjoints and adapted to-pass behind the patients neck.

6. In an analgesia system according to claim 5, said connecting straphaving one end looped over and permanently attached to one of saidelbow-shaped connections and the opposite end being looped over theother elbow-shaped connection and adjustably attached to regulate thetautness of the strap behind the patients neck.

7. In an analgesia system according to claim 6, said adjustableconnecting end including a circular band on said elbow-shaped connectionprovided with an outer fibrous adhesive surface, and the looped end ofsaid strap at the adjustable connecting end provided with a matingfibrous material for adjustable connection to said circular band.

8. In an analgesia system according to claim 7, said strap including anelastic portion to permit limited stretching of said strap.

9. In an analgesia system, gas delivery means for supplying gaseousfluids from a gas supply source to a cupped nasal inhalator adapted tofit over the nose and be confined to a limited area of a patients facein closely surrounding relationship with the nose of the patient leavingthe patients mouth uncovered wherein said inhalator is provided withopen tubular connecting means on opposite sides thereof, said apparatuscomprising in combination:

first and second extension hoses each hermetically connected at a firstend to one of said open tubular connecting means and each extension hoseproviding an extension of said open tubular connecting means away fromsaid inhalator,

first and second hollow elbow joints each having first and second openends directed in substantially normal directions, said first end of eachelbow joint being hermetically connected to a second end of anassociated extension hose,

first and second elongated gas supply hoses having first and second openends, the first open end of said gas supply hoses being hermeticallyconnected to the second open end of an associated elbow joint so as toextend normally away from the associated extension hose, and the secondopen end of said gas supply hoses being hermetically connected to saidgas supply source,

a hose clip movably connected to both gas supply hoses and adapted toadjustably hold together the gas supply hoses at selected locationsalong their length, ancl an adjustable connecting strap connected toeach of said elbow joints whereby when the inhalator is disposed over apatients nose, the elbow joints are adapted to rest on the patientscheeks and the adjustable strap is adapted to be passed beneath thepatients ears and around the patients neck to anchor the inhalator onthe patients face.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,799,164 Dated March 26, 1974 Inventor(s') Richard R. Rollins It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are. hereby corrected as shown below:

0n .the Title Page:

Cancel "A ssignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours. C and Company, Wilmington,Del." since invention was never assigned by .Richard R. Rollins signcdan cl Scaledthis I Twenty-fourth Day of I August 1976 [SEAL] v Arrest:

. v RUTH c. MASON c. MARSHALL DANN 8 fficer Commissioner Oflflltf!!! andTrademarks

1. Gas delivery apparatus for an analgesic system and the like having agas supply source and a nasal inhalator adapted to fit over the nose andbe confined to a limited area of a patient''s face in closelysurrounding relationship with the nose of the patient leaving thepatient''s mouth uncovered and provided with gas inlet means thereon onopposite sides of said inhalator, said apparatus comprising incombination, a pair of gas supply conduits on opposite sides of saidinhalator and each gas supply conduit having a lateral extension, eachsaid lateral extension extending in opposite directions to one anotherlaterally away from connection to said gas inlet means and adapted toextend across each cheek of the patient and downwardly toward each earof the patient when the patient is in a prone position and each lateralextension terminating in a lower end adapted to rest adjacent to eachear of the patient, and an elongated flexible extension in each gassupply conduit extending normal to and in the same direction away fromconnection with the lower end of each of said respective lateralextensions and adapted to be directed in a substantially horizontaldirection away from the lower end of each lateral extension along theside of the patient''s head when the patient is in a prone position forconnection into said gas supply source, and connecting strap meansconnected to said gas supply conduits adjacent to the lower ends of saidlateral extensions on opposite sides of the patient''s head and adaptedto pass behind the patient''s neck.
 2. Gas delivery apparatus accordingto claim 1, further including securing means for securing said elongatedflexible extensions together ahead of their connection into said gassupply source.
 3. Gas delivery apparatus according to claim 1, furtherincluding elbow-shaped fittings interconnecting the lower end of eachlateral extension with a respective elongated flexible extension in eachgas conduit member for extension of said elongated flexible extensionsperpendicular to the lateral extensions.
 4. Gas delivery apparatusaccording to claim 3, said connecting strap connected at opposite endsto said elbow-shaped fittings in each of said gas supply conduits.
 5. Inan analgesia system, gas delivery means for supplying gaseous fluidsfrom a gas supply source to a nasal inhalator adapted to fit over thenose and be confined to a limited area of a patient''s face in closelysurrounding relationship with the nose of the patient leaving thepatient''s mouth uncovered wherein said inhalator is provided withoppositely directed, open tubular connecting means thereon, saidapparatus comprising in combination: first and second gas supply hoseseach connected at one end to one of said open tubular connecting meansand each adapted to extend laterally away from said inhalator anddownwardly for termination at a point along the side of the patient''shead when the patient is in a prone position, first and second extensionhoses extending from the terminal ends of said lateral extension hosesfor connection to the gas supply source, first and second elbow jointsinterconnecting the terminal ends of said first and second lateralextension hoses, respectively, with each of said respective first andsecond extension hoses so that the rearward extension hoses extend in acommon direction substantially normal to the lateral extension of saidlateral extension hoses, a hose clip adapted to releasably andadjustably hold together the first and second rearward extension hosesat a point over the patient''s head, and a connecting strap connected atopposite ends to said elbow-shaped joints and adapted to pass behind thepatient''s neck.
 6. In an analgesia system according to claim 5, saidconnecting strap having one end looped over and permanently attached toone of said elbow-shaped connections and the opposite end being loopedover the other elbow-shaped connection and adjustably attached toregulate the tautness of the strap behind the patient''s neck.
 7. In ananalgesia system according to claim 6, said adjustable connecting endincluding a circular band on said elbow-shaped connection provided withan outer fibrous adhesive surface, and the looped end of said strap atthe adjustable connecting end provided with a mating fibrous materialfor adjustable connection to said circular band.
 8. In an analgesiasystem according to claim 7, said strap including an elastic portion topermit limited stretching of said strap.
 9. In an analgesia system, gasdelivery means for supplying gaseous fluids from a gas supply source toa cupped nasal inhalator adapted to fit over the nose and be confined toa limited area of a patient''s face in closely surrounding relationshipwith the nose of the patient leaving the patient''s mouth uncoveredwherein said inhalator is provided with open tubular connecting means onopposite sides thereof, said apparatus comprising in combination: firstand second extension hoses each hermetically connected at a first end toone of said open tubular connecting means and each extension hoseproviding an extension of said open tubular connecting means away fromsaid inhalator, first and second hollow elbow joints each having firstand second open ends directed in substantially normal directions, saidfirst end of each elbow joint being hermetically connected to a secondend of an associated extension hose, first and second elongated gassupply hoses having first and second open ends, the first open end ofsaid gas supply hoses being hermetically connected to the second openend of an associated elbow joint so as to extend normally away from theassociated extension hose, and the second open end of said gas supplyhoses being hermetically connected to said gas supply source, a hoseclip movably connected to both gas supply hoses and adapted toadjustably hold together the gas supply hoses at selected locationsalong their length, and an adjustable connecting strap connected to eachof said elbow joints whereby when the inhalator is disposed over apatient''s nose, the elbow joints are adapted to rest on the patient''scheeks and the adjustable strap is adapted to be passed beneath thepatient''s ears and around the patient''s neck to anchor the inhalatoron the patient''s face.